Re: A fast hitch latch question

Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:13 pm

There are 3 different part numbers for that latch. You wouldn't think something as simple as a latch would get that much attention. The loop style came first. The part number was 517786R11, which included a roll pin 576485R1 that the spring presses down on. I have a few of these around. My '59 Lo-Boy, which is my only hitch that I consider likely as original to the tractor, has this. The second style is 523110R1, which is evidently hook style and still calls out the 576485R1 roll pin. I don't have a sample of this one, so the open hook is conjecture. The parts catalog with that part number shows an open hook. This part eventually progressed to R3. The third style is 393500R1 which has an open hook and the sides are cast in a shape that eliminates the need for a roll pin. I have some of these too.

As far as when they changed, all I can say is that evidently, the first was used until at least '59 and that the third was already in the parts catalog in 1970. So both changes were in the '59 to '70 range. The other posts already in this thread, where the hitch is known to be original to the tractor, narrow it down some more.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:59 pm

About these latches. The stock fast hitch hold up pins, Did they or did they not serve as a dual purpose pin to hold up the hitch and lock into the latch ?

As you can see in the image below the hold up pin I have is too short if it were to be used as a locking pinHere is what it should be if it were to be dual purpose

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:25 am

Did they or did they not serve as a dual purpose pin to hold up the hitch and lock into the latch

This is the exact reason it's good practice to give credit to the source(obviously I failed on this one)

Rick

Oh I didn't think you made it up Rick ! I was just confused when I saw that the hold up pin I bought didn't work to lock in the hook. Maybe the issue is te different latch.

The hold up pin seems to be a funny thing yet so simple haha

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:35 pm

Jim Becker wrote:There are 3 different part numbers for that latch. You wouldn't think something as simple as a latch would get that much attention. The loop style came first. The part number was 517786R11, which included a roll pin 576485R1 that the spring presses down on. I have a few of these around. My '59 Lo-Boy, which is my only hitch that I consider likely as original to the tractor, has this. The second style is 523110R1, which is evidently hook style and still calls out the 576485R1 roll pin. I don't have a sample of this one, so the open hook is conjecture. The parts catalog with that part number shows an open hook. This part eventually progressed to R3. The third style is 393500R1 which has an open hook and the sides are cast in a shape that eliminates the need for a roll pin. I have some of these too.

As far as when they changed, all I can say is that evidently, the first was used until at least '59 and that the third was already in the parts catalog in 1970. So both changes were in the '59 to '70 range. The other posts already in this thread, where the hitch is known to be original to the tractor, narrow it down some more.

Now the roll pin, is it just a pin you place in a hole at the back of the latch which the little cast sides replaced?

My biggest thing is getting a hold of a loop style latch to test the pin on but I'll PM you on that.

ThanksJosh

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:28 pm

I figured it out Rick! The reason for the shorter hold up pin was effected by the latch changed. By going to a hook style vs. a loop you eliminate the use of the dual purpose hold up pin/lock. I just put the Dual purpose pin I made and realized that whatever you put in the "hook" style latch, it won't do a bit of good! The only one that a Hold up pin would work with is a full loop latch #517786R11. It finally makes sense now how the changes work with eachother. Please correct me if I'm wrong but it sure seems like that is the answer.

BTW I don't like how this new latch fits my fast hitch. I am going to do a bit of grinding to make it more fluid. It's a bit tight. But maybe after I strip the fast hitch , sand blast and wire wheel it and then repaint it, it will be ok.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:11 pm

Wow. I don't have time to dig into this tonight. Maybe I'll tackle it next week.

I still don't buy the lock use. That is what the latch springs were for. If it was important, they wouldn't have changed the latch to an open loop. If it was important for other implements, it would be a piece of the tractor rather than the mower. I imagine the hold up was put there to keep the lowered hitch from dragging through the cut hay and bunching it up. The picture Rick pointed at has been modified from what IH produced. The battery interference may be the reason they didn't include the hold up with Lo-Boy mowers.

I don't have a sample or picture of the open loop with roll pin style. The closed loop has a roll pin. I assume the open with roll pin looks like a cross between the other 2.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:37 pm

my 1959 lo boy fast-hitch has a closed loop, I believe it to be original to tractor. The nylon rope attched makes ease from the seat to unattach blade & spring tooth plow, one point disc harrow.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:50 am

53 has the loop61 Loboy has the loop71 has the hook

All original.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:52 pm

I will have to go with Jim on this one. the hitch latch has nothing to do with the hold up latch. the hold up latch simply lays down on the drawbar when not in use. It was redesigned to be able to fit with all fast hitches.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Tue Feb 21, 2012 5:02 pm

I just bought the early loop latch 517786R11 from the Bates corporation. http://www.batescorp.com/I'm glad that they still have companies dealing with the older parts.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:16 am

My '67 loboy has a closed loop. BUT The tractor is a yellow/white model with a red painted fast hitch so the hitch may have come from an earlier model.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:47 am

The first generation loop latch is a good fit. The one I got from Bates works very well on my FH but the most recent style cast hook latch doesn't fit well at all.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:54 am

This is an old thread. My 1958 140 has the closed loop. I know nothing about the history of the tractor so must assume that it is original. It is useful for a rope to lift the latch from the seat.

Re: A fast hitch latch question

Sun Nov 18, 2012 10:23 pm

A little bit hard to see in photo but the rope is attached to the loop on the latch. This is on my 55 cub, which I understand to be the first year for the fast hitch cubs.